The best sports section ever

As SI.com does here, it's always fun to argue "the best ever." I was at The Washington Post in those days and we looked The Globe in the eye all over the world. The New York Times, the Daily News, the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, the Dallas Morning News, the Miami Herald -- all could make a case as the best. The only thing certain is that newspapers never spent more money on sports coverage than they did in the '70s and '80s. And it showed.

I grew up reading those gentlemen and I suppose they are in part responsible for my sports journalism career. For better and worse. It was humbling to share the stage -- in a small way -- with Messrs. Montville, Ryan and Doria at the NSSA awards banquet last month.

Reading this story, I found myself wishing someone would start up "The National" again -- perhaps as a web site, given current economic realities. I'd apply, just so I can say I was rejected, but I know I'd check it every day because fine sports writing/reporting is still an art.

The Globe was special, for sure, but as has been noted here there were other fine sections as well. The L.A. Times back in the day was tremendous. The Chicago Trib, with Bob Verdi and Bernie Lincicome, was must-read. I agree with the AJC mention above, particularly after Van McKenzie got hold of that section. There were so many others ...

We'll never see the like again, and that's a bigger loss than the Sam Zells and Lean Deans of this world can ever fathom.